A-Class Domestic Test Drive | Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY | Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY

First Drive: A-Class in Japan

On Japanese public roads,New A-Classthe day has arrived for the new A-Class to hit the road. Has its image changed so much that only its name remains familiar? Mercedes-Benz has entered the fiercely competitive C-segment. Following the first drive of the new A-Class by Yasuhiko Kawamura,Yasuhiko Kawamura and the first drive of the new A-Class by Toshiyuki Watanabe,Toshiyuki WatanabeTatsuya Otani took the wheel of the domestically introduced model, the A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY.

Text by OTANI Tatsuya
Photographs by MOCHIZUKI Hirohiko

Evangelion Designers and Mercedes Animation

Mercedes-Benz meets Evangelion.

Ahead of the new A-Class launch, a promotional campaign called "NEXT A-Class" featured a short animated film. The character design was handled by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, known for his work on "Neon Genesis Evangelion." This work possessed a power that resonated even with me, someone not particularly interested in Evangelion, and it was such a fine piece that I was unexpectedly moved to tears upon first viewing.

Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY | Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY

"Characters by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto"

The animation was produced by Production I.G.

It was unimaginable that Mercedes-Benz, the "mainstream of luxury car history" that has walked alongside the history of luxury cars since "inventing" the automobile in 1886, would use Japanese anime for its product promotion.

Or rather, even if not to that extreme, their inclination towards such things had been known for some time.

This was because, positioned so squarely in the center of automotive history, their average user age was higher than that of rivals, and a rejuvenation of their customer base was pointed out as an urgent task. However, it is also true that despite such aspirations, they had difficulty achieving them.

When this animated movie arrived, while somewhat surprising, I couldn't entirely dismiss the feeling of "I knew it."

Incidentally, this project was conceived by Mercedes-Benz Japan and produced with the approval of the German headquarters. Due to its exceptional quality, it was decided that it would also be used for promotion in countries other than Japan.

Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY | Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY

First Drive: A-Class in Japan (2)

Two Character Lines

Speaking of Mercedes' rejuvenation, the design is entirely in line with this trend.

As introduced about a month ago inReport on Mercedes-Benz Tech Day Intelligent Drivesince Gordon Wagener took over as head of design at Mercedes in 2008, the company's styling has reached a new level of refinement and is rapidly rejuvenating.

Most notably, specific character lines have been set for each model category: sedans feature a combination of an upper horizontal line and a lower rising line; sports models have a single, long, horizontal upper line; and compact models have an upper line that slopes slightly downward towards the rear and a lower line that clearly rises from the midpoint, forming two distinct lines.

The two character lines etched into the side of the new A-Class body are similar to those on theNew B-Class, which was released earlier, for this reason.

There was one thing about the exterior design that made me pause.

When viewed from a slight angle directly in front, the new A-Class can sometimes appear to be a three-box sedan rather than a hatchback. This is because the area behind the rear wheels bulges subtly, making it look like a trunk. Whether this was intentional by the designer or a mere coincidence is unknown, but it is undoubtedly an interesting effect.

Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY | Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY

First Drive: A-Class in Japan (3)

Why a Conventional Body Structure Now?

Another "rejuvenation point" for the new A-Class is its 160mm lower overall height.

This was made possible by abandoning the sandwich structure floor used in the first and second generations.

The sandwich structure, originally designed with a two-tiered floor along the entire length of the body to accommodate space for EVs and fuel cell vehicles, meant that conventional powertrains did not require such a large space beneath the floor. Consequently, the tall boy style, despite its potential, was not effectively utilized for interior space.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Mercedes-Benz A-Class

While the new A-Class has succeeded in lowering its height while maintaining a spacious interior, returning to a "conventional body structure" at a time when the spread of EVs and fuel cell vehicles is imminent raises questions.

However, Mercedes has not abandoned its pursuit of EVs, explaining that they have "evolved the sandwich structure" to allow for the installation of necessary components by modifying only the rear portion of the floor. If this is the case, it can be considered an ideal solution.

In terms of body dimensions, the increase of over 400mm in length compared to the previous model is also a notable topic. This has allowed the new A-Class to achieve a "sporty proportion" with a lower height and greater length. Here again, the new A-Class has been rejuvenated.

The interior design is also youthful.

Silver rings around the air vents, silver faces for the gauges, and, depending on the grade, carbon-look trim for the dashboard all emphasize a sporty image. While the A-Class offers a higher sense of quality, its design, which prominently features a "performance-oriented image," is reminiscent of Alfa Romeo.

Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY | Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY

First Drive: A-Class in Japan (4)

Mercedes' DNA

Even when driving, the well-damped and solid ride quality is reminiscent of a sports model, offering a different feel from the comfort-oriented approach Mercedes has traditionally taken.

The 1.6-liter direct-injection turbo engine provides strong torque from low speeds, and when the throttle is pressed, the torque rises smoothly up to 6,000 rpm. Furthermore, the responsive dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission enhances this impression. On the other hand, engine noise and road noise are sufficiently suppressed, living up to the Mercedes name.

However, the handling itself did not strike me as particularly sporty. Compared to previous Mercedes models, the steering angle during cornering is significantly reduced, and body roll is suppressed, shortening the time from initiating a turn to actually entering the corner. Nevertheless, it cannot be described as quick and sporty like the benchmark sporty models in this class. Rather, the handling is solid, stable, and inspires a strong sense of security.

Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Sports | Mercedes-Benz A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Sport

However, this is not necessarily a negative; on the contrary, it allows for a more relaxed driving experience due to its less nervous nature. This characteristic remained largely unchanged even in the "A180 Sport," which features stiffer dampers than the standard model.

Admittedly, the test drive venue was partially covered in snow on the day of the review, so I didn't have the opportunity to thoroughly test its cornering capabilities. If I had another chance to tackle winding roads, my impression might differ.

Furthermore, for those seeking a sportier feel in the new A-Class, the "A250 Sport" will be released slightly later, so waiting for that model is also an option.

While adopting a youthful image, the new A-Class has not lost its inherent Mercedes value, and with advanced safety features, it is affordably priced starting at 2.84 million yen.

In the increasingly competitive C-segment market, the new A-Class is poised to make an even greater impact than before.